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She dumped the dirty plates in the sink and flipped on the water. “You’d think Mr. Broken Nose would need medical treatment. I suppose he could have driven out of state to get it.”

Daniel hummed in agreement. He joined her at the sink, flipping off the water and invading her personal space. She retreated instinctively and found herself cornered between the cabinet and the fridge. Daniel turned to face her, his stare sharp and probing. “Where were you born, Ellie?”

His question sent a wave of panic racing through her, but she jutted up her chin in defiance. “What does that matter?”

“Answer the question.”

She folded her arms defensively. “I don’t appreciate being interrogated.”

“And I don’t appreciate being lied to,” he snapped. “According to a background check, you were born and raised in Liberty County, but according to the local hospital records, Ellie Brooks doesn’t exist.”

Her muscles tensed as anger filled her voice. “You dug into my past.”

“What other choice did you leave me?” There was no regret in his expression, just hard determination.

Daniel boxed her in, his broad shoulders blocking out everything but him.

“Your real name isn’t Ellie Brooks, is it?

Your background check clears, but scratch the surface and there are holes bigger than the Grand Canyon.

So I’ll ask you again, what are you hiding? ”

The sharp bite of panic cut through her anger. “Stop. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing.” His finger jabbed toward the open doorway, anger flaring in his eyes. “I’m protecting that little boy in there. I have half a mind to call Child Protective Services and report you for fraud?—”

“No!” Ellie’s breathing became shallow. She couldn’t lose Owen. Desperation flooded over her, threatening to drown her in its wake. She pinched the bridge of her nose to keep the tears at bay. Still, they thickened her voice. “Please, Daniel.”

She drew a shaky breath, trying to rein in her spiraling emotions. This was so unlike her… to become overwhelmed by her feelings. But the stress of the last twenty-four hours, along with a sleepless night and Daniel’s threats, were unraveling the last of her control.

The burner phone weighed heavily in her pocket.

Ellie didn’t know what to do. She was trapped between a rock and a hard place.

Quite literally, by the unyielding countertop behind her and Daniel’s broad body in front of her.

Telling him the truth wasn’t possible, but she couldn’t refuse to answer all of his questions either.

She lifted her gaze to meet his and licked her lips. “I know it’s hard for you to understand, but there are things I can’t tell you. Things I can’t explain. You have a job to do, I know that. But I need you to stop digging into my past and asking questions.”

His eyes tracked over her face. “Are you a criminal? A former informant?”

“Neither. I swear it.”

He scowled. “Forgive me, Ellie Brooks , but your word doesn’t mean much.”

She swallowed hard. “I know. But I swear on Owen’s life, I’m neither a criminal nor a former informant. I’m in a bad situation, and you know from the fact that my background check cleared, that my identity isn’t stolen.” Ellie gave him a pointed look. “I had help.”

A beat passed. He cocked his head to one side. “You’re not in witness protection. Otherwise, Federal Marshals would be beating down my door right now.”

He was right about that. Ellie wished the FBI had gone that route, but they didn’t want to use another federal agency in case the Iron Fist had informants among their ranks. The fewer people that knew about her new identity, the less likely it would be found out.

So much for that plan.

“There’s only a few agencies capable of creating a brand-new identity while burying any trace of it in red tape….” One eyebrow arched. “You’re FBI. Or CIA. Former military.”

He was in the ballpark. That would have to be close enough. She gripped the counter behind her. “I can’t answer that.”

He nodded slowly, as if a puzzle piece had fallen into place anyway. “Do you know what those men were looking for?”

“No.”

“But you know who they are?”

Ellie grimaced. “Mr. Broken Nose and Busted Kneecap, no, I don’t know who they are.”

“But you know who hired them?”

“I can’t say.”

“Unacceptable.” Daniel’s gaze narrowed. “How am I supposed to protect you and Owen with a blindfold on and my hands tied behind my back? You need to give me something to work with, Ellie.”

“I wish I could.” Her jaw tightened to keep the truth from spilling past her lips.

In this moment, she wanted to share everything.

To lay her burdens down, let this handsome and capable Texas Ranger help her find a way out of this mess.

It was a shock to realize how much she wanted that.

Ellie wasn’t used to relying on people. Silver Creek had softened her.

Maybe too much. “I need you to give me a little leeway here.”

"A little leeway?" He stared at her in disbelief. “You’re asking me to blindly trust you without offering the same trust in return.”

It was a lot. She knew better than most how much. “Not blindly. You know enough to make reasonable assumptions about the situation. Honestly, I’ve said more than I should.” Ellie met his gaze. “I’m doing my best to keep everyone safe. You. Me. Most importantly, Owen.”

“And how does this end? You can’t hide out here at the ranch forever, and if what I suspect is true, whoever came after you and Owen won’t stop.”

“I’ve set things in motion. Hopefully, I’ll have answers soon.”

He huffed out a frustrated breath. “That’s cryptic.

” Daniel studied her for a long moment, his mouth flattened, his expression uncertain.

And then, whatever decision he was wrestling with seemed to be made because his shoulders dropped and he backed up a step.

“You have till the end of the day. Tomorrow, I’ll need more. ”

She breathed out. “That’s fair. Thank you, Daniel. I?—”

Her next words were cut off by an alert from her smart watch. She glanced at the screen and groaned. “Owen has a doctor’s appointment today.”

“Cancel it.” Daniel’s brow furrowed. “Leaving the ranch is too dangerous.”

Her mind whirled. “If it was a check-up with his pediatrician, I would, but this is an appointment with his cardiac specialist. He needs to go.” Especially if she and Owen were removed from Silver Creek.

It could be months before he could get a new appointment with another cardiologist. “It should be quick. An hour at most. His doctor is nearby, at Mercy Hospital. I strongly doubt anyone from?—”

She cut herself off from saying ‘the Iron Fist’ at the last minute. Ellie considered her options. “The chances of Mr. Broken Nose and his companion figuring out we have a doctor’s appointment is slim to none. We’ll be safe.”

“What about whoever hired those men?”

“Same.” She prayed that was true. It had to be. “I wouldn’t go unless it was important. Owen’s condition requires regular check-ins with his specialist in case a complication arises. We can’t skip it.”

Daniel exhaled slowly, his jaw tight. “Then I’m coming with you.”